I just got done researching the various pocket weather devices and for multiple reasons went with the Brunton ADC Pro which basegear.com now sells for $140. It is 2 oz and has a very super loud alarm clock, watch with backlight, storm alarm, forecast, etc. Much more easier to understand. The Kestrel 4500 or 4500T seems to be better for a professional weather forecaster who can make sense of raw data, but the ADC Pro is better for a layperson like me, who wants the bottom line forecast and also a storm alarm. It is also cheaper and lighter too and serves as a watch, alarm clock, and weather forecaster.

Hi Roleigh. Thanks for your comments. I am not personally familiar with the Brunton ADC Pro, but it sounds like a very useful instrument at a reasonable price.

The statement about the user screens is correct. They simply allow you to view 3 parameters at once to save a few steps, but do not provide access to expanded information. You have to go to an individual parameter (eg Temperature or Relative Humidity) to look at the expanded information (min-max-average, graphs).

You mention that the Kestrel is more for techie types, implying that it is more complex, but I disagree - its very simple and straightforward to operate and use. It provides most of the same information as a multi-function watch, and some information more relevant to backpackers, and is much easier to use.

I have the Kestrel 3500 which esentially does the same measurements but does not have the memory/computer hook-up so data must be journaled by hand if that is desired. Of course it costs less and is lighter but otherwise looks similar. Here is the web page: http://www.nkhome.com/ww/wwindex.html

Some would say, "Why pack that! It's not essential." True, but it is fun and a little fun in the woods, to me, is worth a couple of ounces. I do take notes about the weather in my journal, based on the facts from the Kestrel, not my misjudged impressions. From a practical standpoint, I observe the dew point vs. temperature and humidity and can predict what kind of condensation problems I will encounter.

But mostly, it's just a fun something of interest to play with on the trail. After all, backpacking is about keeping in touch with our environment and the Kestrel simply takes that concept to the next level. Of course, I got mine on ebay for a sweet price that allowed me to justify it. (Thank God for ebay)!

Unless I missed something when I went to the Brunton Site to look at the ADC Pro, it appears not to be capable of keeping track of temperature changes in the same way as the Kestral does. It appears to be able to only provide the current temperature and does not appear to record temperature data points over time. Have I missed something here?

Will, I had downloaded the user manuals for the Kestrel 4500 and 3500 and was thinking of getting the 3500 but then I found out about the ADC Pro. The home page for it is here: http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=262 -- check out the lengthy user manual. What sold me on the ADC Pro was having a very loud alarm clock, the predictive weather forecast icons on the time page, and best of all a customizable storm alarm which (I have not spent the time to figure it all out yet) appears to be able to forecast a storm in a 3 hour window. As one hikes a mountain pass, one does not want to find out near the top one is in the midst of a lightening storm. I hike SEKI every summer and last year we had storms 8 out of 9 days and they came around early to late afternoon, knowing a 3 hour forecast and having an alarm sound off is something I prefer over something like the Kestrel that requires me to do my own forecasting. I just did not see much forecasting features in the units, only trend tracking up to the present (in the 3500 over 12 hours) or in the 4000/45000 over many days if so desired.

Can BPL ask Brunton for a review unit of the ADC Pro, it would be great to get a comparison review. The ADC Pro is also only 2 ounces (without the lanyard). That makes it very light too, and the ability to be a loud alarm clock and a watch with backlight is great too.

Mitchell, download the user manual. Here are some excerpts from the ADC Pro user manual:

Pressure History Graph

The ADC is equipped with a barometricpressure memory function. It records the last24 hours barometric pressure readings, andit can display them by bar-graph.In Barometer Mode, press the [set] button toselect the Pressure History Graph Display.While in the Temperature History GraphDisplay, the right most bar will start flashing.The right most bar represents the currenttemperature (0 hour), while the other barsrepresent the pressure records of the last 24hours. Each pressure record is taken at thehour (i.e 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 ... ).To browse the pressure record at differenttimes, press the [set] button to scroll therecord backward (from the current record tothe -24 hour record) or press the [reset]button to scroll the record forward (from the-24 hour record to the current record).

Temperature History Graph

The ADC is equipped with a temperaturememory function. It records the last 24-hourtemperature and displays them by bar-graph.In Temperature Mode, press the [set] buttonto select the Temperature History GraphDisplay.While in the Temperature History GraphDisplay setting, the right most bar will startflashing.The right most bar represents the currenttemperature (0 hour). While the other barsrepresent the temperature records of the last24 hours. Each temperature record is takenat the hour (i.e. 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 ...)To browse the temperature record atdifferent times, press the [set] button toselect the record by backward scrolling or[reset] button to select time by forwardscrolling (hold down the button to scroll thesetting at a faster pace).

Temperature History Graph

The ADC is equipped with a temperaturememory function. It records the last 24-hourtemperature and displays them by bar-graph.In Temperature Mode, press the [set] buttonto select the Temperature History GraphDisplay.While in the Temperature History GraphDisplay setting, the right most bar will startflashing.The right most bar represents the currenttemperature (0 hour). While the other barsrepresent the temperature records of the last24 hours. Each temperature record is takenat the hour (i.e. 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 ...)To browse the temperature record atdifferent times, press the [set] button toselect the record by backward scrolling or[reset] button to select time by forwardscrolling (hold down the button to scroll thesetting at a faster pace).

Data Log Function

The ADC is equipped with a function to logthe sensor functional mode data. Thesedata are the current wind speed, ambienttemperature, barometric pressure, relativehumidity and the altitude at the currentlocation.This data also includes the time and datethat the logging was taken.The ADC can log data automatically (log adata at a preset interval) or manually.For logging data automatically, check the'Automatic Data Log' section below. Forlogging data manually, check the previous'Manual Data Log'.1) The log memory can log up to 256 recordsand 1980 data.

I bought an ADC Pro last year or 2 years ago. I chose it over one of the Kestrel models because of the alarm clock because I don't wear a seperate watch. Nice tool with a lot of functions but not always to operate (lots of functions and only 3 buttons).

I also have the Burton Pro. As others have noted, it is a quite capable unit. There are only two things that I don't like about it. The first is with the minimal number of buttons, getting to the right function can be somewhat tricky. Normally I don't need to read a manual, but I did with the Burton. The second issue is that when logging is turned on, the unit gives a tiny "beep" when recording data. I haven't found a way to turn this off. I sleep very lightly, the beep sometimes wakes me up.

Random questions for Burton users. In theory it's waterproof and you can measure water flow. Has anyone done this?

Thanks Roliegh, I did not read the manual which as you indicate is on the site as a pdf file. The Pro appears to be a very capable unit and at a better price compared to the Kestral.I guess this or the Kestral is the next gear gadget I "need" to look at purchasing. I always wonder about overnight temperatures and weather conditions as I approach High Sierra passes.Thanks Again!

How long does the Brunton ADC Pro operate on 1 CR2032 Battery?
on 07/08/2007 20:24:52 MDT

I'm going on a 17 day hike with a brand new Brunton ADC Pro pocket weather meter. How long does the Brunton ADC Pro operate on 1 CR2032 Battery? I'm wondering how many if any spare batteries I need to bring along. Thanks!

Re: How long does the Brunton ADC Pro operate on 1 CR2032 Battery?
on 07/08/2007 23:32:49 MDT

I am sure that I have change the batteries twice since I got the unit in 2004. I do think it has been more than than, but it is possible that I have changed the batteries up to four times. Some somewhere between 6 months a 1.5 years / battery.

Re: Re: How long does the Brunton ADC Pro operate on 1 CR2032 Battery?
on 07/09/2007 07:34:12 MDT

If you mean the couple of months between purchase and battery change, I would call this irrelevant since I bought the unit with the battery already installed. Who knows how long it had been lying there? Since the battery change, I've been on at least two 10-day trips, several 2 to 5 day trips and numerous daytrips and I had no problem with the battery.